Vibratory massage device



p 1942- c. P. WINTHER 2,295,817

VIBRATORY MASSAGE DEVICE Filed March 6, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 V 22 Y 2521 K MN 21 venior m;e

A ZZorneys Sept. 15, 1942. c. P. WINTHER 2,295,817

'VIBRATORY MASSAGE DEVICE Filed March 6, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fizveniorAZZorneys Patented Sept. 15, 1 942 UNlTED STATE.

PATENT QFS ME 4 Claims.

This invention relates to vibratory massage devices, and particularly toa massage device which will simultaneously apply partial vacuum andvibration to desired areas of the skin and tissue.

Vibratory massage and application of partial vacuum have been foundeffective in treatment of certain ailments as well as in reducingexcessive fat on the human body. The application of partial vacuumduring the vibratory massage greatly stimulates circulation, effectivelyincreasing the capillary action in the areas treated and speeding upbody metabolism.

It is an object of my invention to provide an exceedingly simple buthighly efiicient device operated entirely by suction or partial vacuumwithout requiring mechanical parts in the applicator and which willsimultaneously apply vibratory massage with constant partial vacuum toareas of the body where such treatment is desired.

It is a further object to provide a massage device which may be readilyconnected as an attachment with a source of partial vacuum, such as avacuum cleaner or other device having a fan and wherein the source ofpartial Vacuum may be applied locally to areas of the body under controlof an operator, and further is utilized to effect a controlled vibrationof an applicator.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide in such a devicemeans for regulating within a certain range the intensity of thevibration of the applicator as well as to a certain extent the degree ofpartial vacuum applied.

These and other objects and advantages will be more apparent from thefollowing description made in connection with the accompanying draw-'ings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same partsthroughout the several views, and in which:

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of my invention applied as an attachment to aconventional type of vacuum cleaner;

Fig. 2 shows a top plan view of one form of applicator or vacuum cupdetached;

Fig. 3 shows a vertical section of the device shown in Fig. 2

Fig. 4 is a top plan View of a somewhat different form of applicator orvacuum cup;

Fig. 5 is a View partly in side elevation and partly in vertical sectionof the applicator shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of a somewhat different form of applicatorembodying my invention, this applicator being particularly adapted forthe face, neck and portions of the body having curved or roundedcontour;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section of shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view with some portions broken away, showingstill another form of applicator specially designed for use on delicateportions of the body;

Fig. 9 is a view mostly in vertical section of the applicator shown inFig. 8, and

Fig. 10 is a vertical section of another type of applicator adapted foruse on the face and smaller members of the human body.

My massage device necessarily requires as one of its elements a sourceof partial vacuum which, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in Fig.1, may be a conventional vacuum cleaner VC having the usual air intake Iprovided with suitable coupling means, the air discharge D, andcontaining the usual dust bag blower and electric motor (not shown). Atumbler switch S controls the electrical circuit for operating themotor.

My improved device includes a vacuum cup or massage applicator in theform of a flaring shell constructed preferably, but not necessarily, offlexible, elastic material such as rubber. In some shapes and sizessuccessful results may be attained with rigid vacuum cups, particularlywhere smaller areas are to be massaged. In the commercial form of myapparatus I prefer to supply several applicators, each designedparticularly for application to certain portions of the human body, butall having certain construction and features in common.

In each instance the vacuum cup or applicator is provided with a flaringskirt portion having a lower and annularly shaped sealing edge forcontact with the skin, and the interior of the skirt is preferably openand unobstructed.

In the form of vacuum cup shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the shell is providedwith a relatively large; axially disposed neck I 2 defining a passagefor connection with a source of partial vacuum. The neck may beintegrally formed with the flexible elastic skirt 13 which dependstherefrom, and the skirt terminates at its lower end in an annularsealing edge I3a which is adapted to contact and be pressed against theskin and tissue. An integrally formed, short, relatively heavy sleeveI2a is provided depending into the upper portion of the interior of theskirt from the neck l2. This has been found in the construction utilizedin Figs. 2 and 3 to increase the vibration produced through the air fiowin the cup, although as will beapparent from a description of the otherforms of vacuum cups shown, it is not necessary to the successfuloperation of the device. The apthe vacuum cup plicator shown in Figs. 2and 3 has circumferentially spaced rabbets I3a formed in the externalwall providing relatively thin, longitudinally extending areas in theshell. A partition [4 is interposed in the lower portion of the neck 12having a pair of spaced V-shaped communication ports Ma providedtherein.

I have discovered through extensive experimentation that by admitting arelatively small amount of air to the vacuum cup and properly relatingthe pointer points of air admission in the skirt with the peripheralwall of the vacuum cup and the connection of the cup with a source ofpartial vacuum, that a rapid vibration of the cup may be effected whenproperly applied to the skin and when, of course, it is connected with asource of partial vacuum.

In the form of applicator shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a relatively small airadmission port I5 is formed in the skirt adjacent the sealing edge, anda second port I6 is formed in the skirt disposed nearly oppositely tothe first port l5. A slide valve I1 is associated with the passage Hi tocontrol the area of the air admission opening and is operative toregulate the intensity of the vibration.

In operation the vacuum cup or applicator is connected with a suitablesource of partial vacuum, preferably by means of a flexible hose H. Itis usually preferable to couple the outer end of the hose with the neckI2 of the applicator by means of a rigid coupling member l8 which mayalso serve as a handle for the applicator. The vacuum cup in thetreatment is pressed against the skin and tissue of the body with thesealing edge contacting the skin. The amount of air admitted to theskirt of th vacuum cup may be regulated by the slide valve I7, and this,of course, varies within a certain range, the amount of partial vacuumapplied, and it further enables the intensity of the vibration to becontrolled. In other words, there is some point in the size range of airadmission openings through port I6 where the most intensive vibration isobtained and an adjustment from that point lessens the intensity ofvibration.

The vacuum cup may, of course, be shifted from area to area over theskin in giving a treatment, and a person may treat himself or it may beused in commercial shops where an operator gives the treatment.

The results obtained by the application of constant partial vacuum andgentle vibratory massage in stimulating circulation and speeding upmetabolism, have been found highly efiicient for reducing excessive faton the human body as well as in the treatment of ailments where localincreased circulation has been efficient.

In Figs. 4 and 5 a slightly different form of applicator or vacuum cupis shown, being gen- .erally similar to the form first described, buthaving an unrestricted star-shaped communication passage between theneck and the interior of the skirt, and having a pair of relativelysmall air intake passages 2| on opposite sides of the skirt adjacent thesealing edge. In addition to these air intake passages a' larger valvedair intake passage 22 of oblong shape is provided having mounted thereona control slide valve 23. The exterior of the walls of the skirt are notrabbeted as in the form first described and as shown, though notnecessary to the proper functioning or vibration of the cup, reinforcingribs 24 extend longitudinally on the interior of the skirt and areintegrally formed with the material of the cup. It will also be notedthat in this form no depending collar or sleeve is provided below theneck l2 as in the form shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

In Figs. 6 and 7 a smaller and somewhat diiIerent form of applicator orvacuum cup is shown having a cylindrical neck 25 which communicates witha relatively short skirt 26 of considerably less area than the skirts ofthe two forms of vacuum cups first described. The communication betweenneck 25 and skirt 26 is made as shown through apertures 21a of apartition 21, although the partition and restrictions in air flow arenot necessary to secure proper vibration of the cup. The skirt, it willbe noted, has its lower edge out or formed in an eccentric andnon-symmetrical shape as contrasted with the skirts shown in Figs. 2 to5, inclusive. The skirt adjacent the upper end thereof may be providedwith one or more holes 28 for air admission, although in this form portsor passages are unnecessary because of the function of thenon-symmetrical skirt.

This form of vacuum cup is particularly designed for application forsmaller members of the body or corners or rounded edges, and efiicientvibration is set up under constant partial vacuum because of therelationship of the sealing edge, the non-symmetrical sealing edgeadmitting a small amount of air, and the non-symmetrical shape and itsrelation to the relatively large air passage through the neck 25 causinga rapid vibration to take place when the sealing edge is properlydisposed.

In Figs. 8 and 9 a slightly different form of vacuum cup or applicatoris shown which is especially adapted for massaging the more delicateportions of the body, such as the breasts. The general construction ofthis form is similar to that shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a small air intakepassage 39 being provided in one side of the skirt adjacent the sealingedge and a valve intake port 3| being provided on the opposite side ofthe skirt. The lower edge of the skirt is provided with a transverse,thin, flexible diaphragm 32 which may be constructed of sheet rubber andwhich, as shown, is provided with a multiplicity of air admissionapertures. This diaphragm, in the use of the cup, is pressed against andconforms to the shape of the body area being treated, producing the samefrom excessive negative pressure while nevertheless making possiblestimulation of circulation and application of vibration through the cupitself.

In Fig. 10 a small cup for massaging the face and other smaller bodymembers is shown constructed of relatively rigid material and having anair intake port 33 disposed in one side of the wall adjacent the neck34. This form has a partition 35 disposed between the neck and theinterior of the skirt, and in this partition a plurality ofcommunicating passages 35 are formed.

In all forms of the invention the relationship of the air intake meansin the vacuum cup with the shape of the cup and skirt and the relationof these parts with the relatively large passage connecting the cup withthe source of negative pressure is responsibleforsuccessful vibrationwhen constant negative pressure is applied.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that I have provided anexceedingly simple, inexpensive and highly efficient apparatus or devicewhich may be utilized as an attachment .for other devices such as vacuumcleaners, or

which may have its own independent source of partial vacuum to givemassage treatments simultaneously subjecting areas of the human body tothe action of gentle vibration as Well as partial vacuum.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangements and proportions of the parts withoutdeparting from the scope of my invention.

The term sealing edge, as hereinafter used in the claims, is used in itsbroad sense to include any edge of the vacuum cup whether covered by adiaphragm or uncovered, which cooperates to form a sealing connectionbetween the skirt of the cup and the skin or clothing of the person onwhom the device is used.

What is claimed is:

"1. In a massage device adapted to simultaneously apply partial vacuumand vibration, a vacuum cup having a skirt portion provided with asealing edge and having a relatively large passage therethrough inconstant communication with the interior of said skirt, said cup havinga relatively small air admission opening through its peripheral wallspaced from said first mentioned passage, an annular projectionprotruding into said cup and forming a continuation of said passage todivert the flow of air to assist in causing a rapid vibration of saidcup when partial vacuum is applied.

2. A vacuum cup vibratory massage device adapted to be energized by aconstant source of partial vacuum comprising a vacuum cup formed with aconduit portion adapted to connect the interior of said cup to saidsource and havin a sealing body contacting edge defining the mouth ofsaid cup, and a weakened zone of flexible elastic material in the wallof said cup intermediate said conduit portion and said edge, the wall ofsaid cup also being provided with an air admission opening considerablysmaller than the suction passage in said conduit portion, said opening,weakened zone and suction passage cooperating to regulate flow of airthrough said cup to cause appreciable vibration thereof when saidconstant partial vacuum is applied.

3. In the massage device defined in claim 2, a thin elastic diaphragmprovided with a multiplicity of small perforations stretched across themouth of said cup.

4. A vacuum cup vibratory massage device adapted to be energized by aconstant source of partial vacuum comprising a rubber vacuum cup formedwith an integral conduit portion adapted to connect the interior of saidcup to said source and having a thickened sealing edge defining themouth of said cup, the Walls of said cup being thinned to provide aweakened zone intermediate said conduit portion and said edge and saidcup being formed with a small air admission opening considerably smallerthan the suction passage in said conduit portion.

CONRAD P. WINTI-LER,

